We Refuse

A Forceful History of Black Resistance

By: Kellie Carter Jackson

Narrated by: Kellie Carter Jackson

Black resistance to white supremacy is often reduced to a simple binary, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s nonviolence and Malcolm X's "by any means necessary." In We Refuse, historian Kellie Carter Jackson urges us to move past this false choice, offering an unflinching examination of the breadth of Black responses to white oppression, particularly those pioneered by Black women.

The dismissal of "Black violence" as an illegitimate form of resistance is itself a manifestation of white supremacy, a distraction from the insidious, unrelenting violence of structural racism. Force-from work stoppages and property destruction to armed revolt-has played a pivotal part in securing freedom and justice for Black people since the days of the American and Haitian Revolutions. But violence is only one tool among many. Carter Jackson examines other, no less vital tactics that have shaped the Black struggle, from the restorative power of finding joy in the face of suffering to the quiet strength of simply walking away.

Clear-eyed, impassioned, and ultimately hopeful, We Refuse offers a fundamental corrective to the historical record, a love letter to Black resilience, and a path toward liberation.

©2024 Kellie Carter Jackson (P)2024 Tantor

Forgotten Black Heroines

I enjoyed how diverse strategies for black liberation coalesce through the author's talent, research, love and joy.

Joy

This book was phenomenal! I learned so much about Haiti that I didn’t know. However, the Black women mentioned throughout this book really made it soooo much to richer! I don’t often hear history that incorporates Black women like this book illuminates. Thanks, Dr. Carter-Jackson!

Oppression is not relived at the end of one battle.

A great book, that should be assigned reading in all high schools. Although fairly quick she packs the book with a great deal of information. I especially enjoyed the stories of the Haitian revolution that succeeded and the revelations that failed, they still refused. Just because you are right doesn’t mean you will always win. However in some little ways you can still refuse. Great book!!

a wonderful mirror for real historical truth!

This book is a necessary read for all of us who live in world that wants to ignore the effect of the past and present when it comes to justice for all. We need to know the truth and importance of black lives in our country to move forward to a better world. Thank you Kellie Carter Jackson for this work!

Great Listen!

Appreciate the focus on history. An important read for us “white” folks catching up on “black” history (quotation marks because this is the history of all of us, with a focus that has been neglected)